Notebook: Seniors worn out after win, emotional day

Kansas forward Jamari Traylor (31) hugs assistant coach Fred Quartelbaum following the JayhawksÕ 85-78 win over the Cyclones.

Senior Day tends to be a tough day for the participants.

Kansas coach Bill Self and seniors Perry Ellis, Jamari Traylor, Hunter Mickelson and Evan Manning found that out Saturday, as the Jayhawks had additional ceremonies to go with an 85-78 win over Iowa State.

“Perry said (in locker room after game), ‘Hey I’m exhausted.’ Hunter said, ‘I’m tired.’ It’s not from a physical tired but a stress,” Self said. “Winning on Senior Day sometimes is a great great boost, but I also think sometimes it can be an added weight, too. I felt for whatever reason we didn’t play loose and free like we’ve been playing.”

Overall, Self was not thrilled with KU’s performance.

“The reality is I couldn’t be more confident about these guys moving forward, but I also know the energy level we had defensively in the first half, that may be enough to go home disappointed in a one-and-done game,” he said.

On KU’s solid play down the stretch: “That’s what you have to do. You have to close,” Self said. “Earlier in the year we weren’t closing quite as well. Here of late we seem to have confidence down the stretch”

This, that: Game official Steve Olson hurt his knee and didn’t work the final half. Two refs finished the game … Bob Davis was honored at halftime and also emceed the Senior Day speeches after the contest. He worked his last home game after 32 years of broadcasting KU basketball and football.

— See what people were saying about KU’s Senior Day vs. Iowa State during KUsports.com’s live coverage.